PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SUCCESSOR BODY TO THE INDEPENDENT LIVING FUND (27 January 1993)

That this House expresses deep concern over the uncertainty surrounding arrangements for the operation of the successor body to the Independent Living Fund after 1st April; notes that the Government has not yet finalised arrangements regarding the assumptions that will be made in considering applications, on the level of support for local authorities for applicants and, if this will be fixed on a local basis, to whom applications will be made, if local authorities will be able to refuse awards and on the resolution of disagreements between the trustees of the successor body and local authorities; further notes that while the Department of Health has stated it does not intend to set a maximum figure for the combined total public funding available after April to enable individual disabled people to live in their own homes, the Department of Social Security has indicated to trustees of the successor body that there will be a maximum payment, combining local authority services and cash from the new fund, of ú500 per week, with clients with higher needs than this expected to go into a residential care or nursing home; notes that capping care costs in this way is in direct conflict with the Government's professed aims of extending choice to users and carers and avoiding unnecessary institutional care; and calls upon the Government to finalise and make a statement as a matter of urgency on the arrangements for the operation of the successor body and to ensure that these arrangements genuinely facilitate and encourage independent living.

Sponsored by:
Mr David Hinchliffe (Labour)